Police say shooter, dead teen knew each other

ANDERSON - An early Friday morning shooting in Anderson has left one man dead and another charged with murder.

The Anderson Police Department arrested Corey Mendez Martin Friday and charged him with murder following the 12:24 a.m. shooting.

According to police, Gary Carrell Gaines, 17, was shot in Anderson.

Incident reports said Gaines was riding in a car with a man identified as Shaquille Scott and Scott told officers the two were driving down West Franklin Street when someone fired into the car, hitting Gaines in the chest. Scott told officers he drove Gaines to AnMed Health Medical Center on Fant Street.

"Mr. Gaines died of a gunshot wound to the chest which led to a laceration of the ventricle of his heart," said Don McCown, Anderson County Deputy Coroner. "He was transported to AnMed Health Medical Center in the car. He died on arrival. AnMed attempted to resuscitate him, but they were unsuccessful."

The coroner's office has ruled the death a homicide.

McCown said they were unaware of any other injuries to anyone else at the scene. No drugs or alcohol were found and Gaines did not appear to have any in his system, McCown said, though it would not be until toxicology test results came back before he could say for sure.

Gaines was staying with his grandmother at 409 Huges Street, McCown said, though he lives with his mother in Greenville.

Randall Williams, spokesman for the Anderson Police Department, said there was no information indicating that the incident was gang-related.

Police arrested Martin less than 12 hours later on Friday before noon.

Williams said Martin was arrested without incident at Hanover Ridge Apartments.

"We don't know the motive yet, but we know this was not a random act," Williams said. "They were acquaintances."

Williams said Martin would be arraigned Saturday after which he would be transported to the Anderson County Detention Center to await his bond hearing.